The greatest British manager ever, Brian Clough, said he would rather win the league title than the European Cup, as it’s a far better gauge of a team’s consistency over the course of a season.
So, no, the CL/EC is not the pinnacle of excellence, though it might be the pinnacle of glory in the European game.
How is "first is first" when you can finish second in your group, lose 50% of your group matches, and still progress?
Sure the FA Cup and Carabao Cup are by extension greater achievements. As just like the Champions League, you don't have to have won your league to qualify.
All you're doing is validating the idea of the fabricated aura around the competition as none of your points have any inherent sporting merit.
Are you all there?
Maybe Cloughie was like Pep, and set out to win every competition his team entered, unlike certain other managers I could mention.Yet he set his team up to win two on the bounce, a feat few men have ever achieved. He may prefer the League which is fair dues, but he certainly took it as seriously & wanted it as much as any other manager.
Yet when presented with the actual format of each competition and how they drastically differ you fold.Oh, I’m all here.
I’ll explain it again. At the end of the season, the team with the most points in their domestic league has finished first. At the end of the CL, the team who wins the final is first. First is first in both instances. Hope that clears it up. Have a nice evening.
Alex Ferguson said the same.The greatest British manager ever, Brian Clough, said he would rather win the league title than the European Cup, as it’s a far better gauge of a team’s consistency over the course of a season.
So, no, the CL/EC is not the pinnacle of excellence, though it might be the pinnacle of glory in the European game.
To win the CL you don't need to be the best team in the CL or the best team in your league.
When you last won the CL to enter you finished 25 point behind the league winners and finished second in the league when you won it. How can you be the best in Europe when you the best in your country ?
So has PepAlex Ferguson said the same.
Footballing greats Steve Finnan, Milan Baros and Harry Kewell can vouch for the best team theory.
To win the CL you don't need to be the best team in the CL or the best team in your league.
When you last won the CL to enter you finished 25 point behind the league winners and finished second in the league when you won it. How can you be the best in Europe when you are second best in your country ?